?Chapter 1086:


    Ellis stood right behind her, leaned in at eye level, and met her gaze through the mirror. “You sure about that?”


    Freya froze. Why did it feel like saying no wouldnd her in deeper trouble?


    “If you’re not going to train, I’ll just have to make up for it with more frequent ‘practice.''” His tone was deadly serious, and his eyes gleamed with unspoken promises. “The more we do it, the longer you’llst.”


    Freya tensed, forcing herself to stayposed. “Overdoing it is bad for the body.”


    “I know how to find the bnce,” Ellis said smoothly, not missing a beat.


    Freya kept brushing, silently. Her every nerve was screaming that his idea of “bnce” was definitely not the same as hers.


    “I’m going to change.” Once she finished brushing, she set her toothbrush aside, then made her getaway without wasting a second. “You take your time.”


    Ellis watched her vanish, then turned back to brushing at his own pace, the amusement in his eyes softening that usual darkness.


    After getting dressed, Freya headed downstairs. She had every intention of grabbing her suitcase and slipping away, but halfway through packing, a thought hit her like a bolt—she needed Ellis to meet her dad.


    Ellis had a business trip lined up in a few days, and who knew when he’d be back? And she was going to propose to him soon. This was the moment to bring him home.


    So, she messaged Hugh. He’d originally nned to meet some friends, but the moment she asked if he was free, he said yes without even blinking.


    Freya didn’t mention Ellis. She only said she’d being home. She hadn’t even told Ellis yet. If he already had other ns, springing it on him too soon wouldn’t be a good idea.


    When Ellis came downstairs, he saw her perched on the couch, phone in hand, fingers tapping away at the screen. He didn’t need to ask—she was clearly texting someone.


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    “Food’s ready.”


    “Copy that.” Freya rose promptly and joined him at the table.


    While they were eating, her dad asked what she wanted for lunch.


    Freya locked her screen and turned to Ellis. “Are you free today?”


    “Yeah,” Ellis answered right away, then tilted his head. “Why?”


    “I want to bring you home to meet my family.”


    “When?”


    “Would this morning work?”


    “Sure.”


    After hearing his response, Freya texted Hugh back. “Not picky. Just have the cook make one more serving. I’m bringing Ellis.”


    Hugh stared at the message, stunned. He read it again, then passed the phone to Ethel and asked, “What exactly does she mean by this?”


    “She’s bringing Ellis over for lunch.”


    “I know it’s lunch. I’m asking what she means by that.”


    Ethel blinked. By what? She set down her own phone and blinked again. “Dad… are you confused?”


    “You’re the one who’s confused.” Hugh scoffed, then leaned back, voicing the question burning in his mind. “Is this an official meeting with Mina’s boyfriend?”


    “Probably, yeah.”


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